The 60 Most Important Deaths on Game of Thrones
By Corey Smith
37. Qhorin Halfhand
There’s a recurring theme in the first half of Game of Thrones: veteran leaders get killed off, leaving their incompetent or inexperienced followers ill-prepared for what’s coming. Qhorin Halfhand, one of the Night Watch’s most experienced rangers, is a perfect example. In the case of his death, the inexperienced follower is Jon Snow.
We saw Jon swear his vows to the Night’s Watch early in season 1, and while we’re not saying he didn’t take those vows seriously, it wasn’t until Jon — acting according to Qhorin’s wishes — killed the Halfhand in a bid to win the trust of the wildlings that he really committed. As the Westerosi are fond of saying, “words are wind.” But Jon’s killing of Qhorin was an oath wrought in blood. Jon promised to convince the wildlings he was one of them, but to never turn from the Night’s Watch in his heart. And he did. (Until the Night’s Watch killed him, but that’s another story.)
As Qhorin pointed out, Jon’s honor meant nothing in the face of securing the realms of men from the dangers north of the Wall. In killing Qhorin, Jon prioritizes that security over fear that he’ll be labeled a traitor. That makes him subtly different from Ned Stark, who only chose to besmirch his own honor for his family, not for the faceless masses. Jon would not easily forget Qhorin’s sacrifice. It was that sacrifice, not his vows, that kept Jon loyal to the Night’s Watch during his time among the enemy.
36. Balon Greyjoy
Old cranky Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands and Lord Reaper of Pyke (the coolest nickname in Westeros, by the way) was shoved off a bridge by his brother Euron, who wanted to rule the Iron Islands himself. And while no one would accuse Balon of being the best father (or brother, probably), the old man made waves in life. And so it was in death.
Like the great kraken that House Greyjoy made its sigil, Balon’s tentacles reached far into the Seven Kingdoms. Balon’s first and second rebellions had a big impact on Theon especially, but his death led directly to Euron repurposing the weight of the Ironborn navy for his own purposes. He used his new power to thwart Daenerys’ invasion plans, strand the Unsullied at Casterly Rock, and make Jaime Lannister all kinds of uncomfortable.
Balon’s death also sent Yara and Theon across the globe into the arms of Daenerys Targaryen, providing Dany with the last few ships she needed to sail to the Seven Kingdoms. Had Balon remained alive, he likely would have taken the Ironborn in another direction, and Daenerys would have to find another ride to Dragonstone.